Chapter Forty-One
Morgan
“So is this dinner thing mandatory?” Hildi asks. She’s standing in front of my closet, flipping through my clothes. Nothing but a dress will fit her and even then it will probably only come to her mid-thigh.
“I’m surprised it took Sue this long to work out a configuration in the dining room to fit all of us.”
She holds up a black dress. I shake my head. On me it looks okay. On her, I think it may veer into street walker territory.
“Hold on,” I say, digging through the outfits. I pull out a dress that hits me below the knee. It’s a green and white wrap dress. A little cool for the weather but it will have to do. “Try this.”
She takes it and nods in approval.
It doesn’t take long for us to get ready and together we walk down the three flights of stairs. “I’m really glad you’ve been staying here,” I tell her. “Being the only woman around can get a little crazy.”
She laughs. “I never understood your whole…thing with the guys. I mean, I get it, they’re hot and they’re all completely devoted to you, but…”
“It’s a lot of work. We’ve established some rules. And now that the end of the world isn’t crashing down on us we have time to feel things out a little better.”
“Like fucking on the kitchen table?” She shakes her head.
I pause, fingers gripping the bannister. “You know about that?”
“Everyone knows about that.”
My cheeks heat up. “Even the guys downstairs?”
“Yes.” She sighs. “Really, we’re going to have to look into some different living arrangements. It’s fun being here but the, uh…sexual tension? It’s a little much for outsiders and those boys…it’s a whole lot of testosterone in one place.”
“We’ll tone it down,” I say. “Promise.”
“No, you’ve sacrificed enough. Live. Love. Be happy,” she says. There’s a touch of pain in her voice but not as much as a week ago. We’re down in the foyer and I spot the Legion walking into the dining room. I expect Dylan is handing out drinks and everyone is waiting for us to arrive.
I grab her arm before we reach the door. “I am happy,” I tell her, wanting to add that I wish her happiness as well. She’ll get it. I feel it. “Take your time. We’ve all been through a lot.”
We cross the threshold and I don’t know what Sue and Davis did, perform a magic spell or hire a carpenter, but the dining room feels wider and longer. The table is big enough for all of us and is set with The Nead’s finest china.
I make eye contact with Clinton first and he pushes his hair behind his ear, no doubt to see me better. Damien stands next to him; ink peeking out from his shirtsleeves. He looks adorable in a short-sleeved button-down complete with a bow-tie. I can’t help but smile when I look at him. Sam has out his camera and blinds the two of us before we can even get in the room. His smile is more blinding than the flash.
Bunny sidles up to me, latching his hand to mine. I’m so thankful he’s here. That we worked through all our differences. Trust is important—we’ve learned that the hard way.
“Come on,” he says, “Sue set you up at the end of the table.”
Because, in this world or the next, I am still the Queen.
I take my place and watch as my guardians stand behind their seats, Dylan across from me, eyes ever alert. His face is different, more relaxed, and I think for once he feels secure. We all do.
The six members of the Legion of Immortals take the remaining chairs. They look adorable—okay, super hot—cleaned up and dressed in formal wear. With a little assistance I have no doubt they’ll find a place in our society.
Davis fills each goblet with deep red wine, finishing with the glass in front of my plate. I lift it up and hold it out.
“Thank you for being here,” I begin. “For being part of a remarkable point in history. We stopped a plague. Saved the world. Foiled an apocalypse. Does anyone know? Nope. Not really. Does it matter? Nah. We’ve don’t need glory or recognition.” I stare at every face. My mates. My best friend and the new friends that helped us accomplish our mission.
“Thank you,” Dylan says, cutting in before I can finish. It’s clear he speaks for everyone at the table. “You brought us together. Made us whole.”
I raise my glass and they all do the same; we’re a table of magic, power, and mystery. I can’t wait to find out where destiny will take us next.